Job Description:
Location: The base location is Aberavon Hospital, Port Talbot, with regular travel required between our other sites including Aberavon, Aberdare, and Queens.
Hours: 28.00 – 35.00 hours per week (7 hour shift between hours of 8am and 6pm - over 7 days including weekends and public holidays)
Job Description
To take full responsibility for the management and delivery of catering services across multiple allocated services, ensuring a consistently high-quality, safe, and compliant service, the post holder will lead and manage catering teams across sites, maintaining full oversight of staffing, budgets, stock control, training, and compliance, while working in a hands-on capacity within kitchens as required. The role involves ensuring all services meet regulatory standards and the needs of service users at all times.
About Rushcliffe Care Group
You will be joining Rushcliffe Care, a company with over 35 years of experience in offering the highest levels of care to our most vulnerable in society. Across our services, we support people to live safer, more fulfilling lives, with dignity, choice, and consistency at the centre of everything we do.
Our values are not slogans. They shape how we treat people, how we work together, and what we expect from each other.
About the Service
Aberavon Hospital provides rehabilitation and recovery for people with complex, severe and enduring mental health challenges. Referrals will be accepted from medium/ low secure hospitals, PICU, acute admissions and the Criminal Justice System. Patients will be detained under the Mental Health Act 1983.
Rushcliffe Aberavon is an 18 bedded locked rehabilitation unit for males between the age of 18 and 65 with:
A primary diagnosis of mental illness or personality disorder, who would benefit treatment offered within a locked rehabilitation service.
Individuals who mental health illness coexists with learning disabilities, challenging behaviour or substance misuse.
Individuals who may have disengaged and failed to maintain contact with treatment services in the past.
Individuals who would benefit from support from rehabilitation services in preparing them to live independently in the community.
The catering team plays an important role in supporting health, wellbeing, and daily routines, ensuring service users receive safe, nutritious, and appropriate meals.
About the role
This role involves taking full responsibility for managing and delivering catering services across multiple services, ensuring a consistently high-quality, safe, and fully compliant service. It requires leading and supporting catering teams across sites, overseeing staffing, recruitment, onboarding, training, supervisions, appraisals, and performance management, while also working hands-on in kitchens when needed to prepare, cook, serve meals, and cover shifts to maintain service delivery. The post holder ensures all meals are prepared and served to a high standard, meeting service user needs, preferences, and dietary requirements, including allergens, IDDSI compliance, and dysphagia management in line with care plans. Responsibilities include leading menu planning with at least two formal reviews per year per site, adapting catering provision to meet changing needs, coordinating staffing and rotas to maintain continuity, and supporting multiple teams across locations. The role also involves overseeing budgets, stock control, ordering, and supplier management, while minimising waste and ensuring value for money. Maintaining high standards of cleanliness, food safety, and compliance is essential, including monitoring HACCP systems, temperature records, COSHH, and ensuring all kitchens remain inspection-ready. The post holder conducts audits, implements action plans from inspections, and drives continuous improvement across all sites. Strong communication with managers and teams is key, alongside promoting professionalism, consistency, and safe working practices in line with health and safety legislation.
About You
The ideal candidate will hold a Level 3 Food Safety and Hygiene qualification (or be willing to achieve it) and an Allergy Awareness Certificate, with experience in a Cook Supervisor or similar leadership role. They will demonstrate a strong understanding of food safety, HACCP, and compliance, along with experience managing or supporting teams, potentially across multiple sites. The role requires the ability to work independently, travel between locations, and apply effective leadership and supervision skills, supported by relevant training. A full UK driving licence and access to a reliable vehicle are essential to enable travel between sites. Desirable qualifications include an NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Food Preparation and Cooking, a Level 4 Team Leadership qualification (or willingness to work towards it), and experience within a care or residential setting. Knowledge of the IDDSI framework, dysphagia, allergen management, and experience in managing budgets and multi-site operations would also be advantageous.
What Our Values Mean in Practice
Reputable Care
Supporting the delivery of safe, high-quality catering services.
Maintaining hygiene standards and following procedures at all times.
Respect and Compassion
Supporting service users through a clean, safe, and positive dining experience.
Understanding the importance of food in daily life and wellbeing.
Robust Communication
Working effectively with kitchen and care teams.
Following instructions and sharing information clearly where required.
Real Commitment
Being reliable and consistent in maintaining standards.
Supporting colleagues and contributing to a safe and efficient kitchen environment.
What We Offer
We provide a structured induction and ongoing support to ensure you are confident and effective in your role.
You will have access to training and opportunities to develop within a well-established organisation.
You will be part of a team where your contribution has a direct impact on service user experience.
Join our team at Rushcliffe Care Group and help us continue to provide exceptional care and service to our residents.
You will be joining Rushcliffe Care, a company with over 35 years of experience in offering the highest levels of care to our most vulnerable in society. Our core values, Reputable Care, Respect and Compassion, Robust Communication and Real Commitment are at the heart of everything we do.
Start making a difference with your career today.
All roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check, the cost of which is covered by Rushcliffe Care.
Equal Opportunities Statement
Rushcliffe Care Group is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and are dedicated to creating an inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect, in line with the Equality Act 2010.
We encourage applications from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Employment decisions are based on individual merit, qualifications, and the needs of the service.
Some roles may have specific requirements, such as physical ability or effective communication in English, due to the nature of the care we provide. These requirements are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of our service users and are applied fairly and proportionately.
To support our commitment to equal opportunities, we may collect diversity data as part of the application process. This information is used for monitoring purposes only, is anonymised where appropriate, and does not form part of the selection process.
If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know so we can support you.
RCG-RECRUIT010626AVON236
Licence/Certification:
1. Driving Licence (required)
2. Level 3 Food Safety and Hygiene qualification (preferred)
Work authorisation:
3. United Kingdom (required)
Willingness to travel:
4. 100% (required)
Work Location: In person